SOUTHPORT’S youngsters have only until the end of this bank holiday weekend to see Ainsdale-based Superlambanana, Tiger In The Woods, before it is auctioned for charity.

SOUTHPORT’S youngsters have only until the end of this bank holiday weekend to see Ainsdale-based Superlambanana, Tiger In The Woods, before it is auctioned for charity.

The Go Superlambananas! team originally intended to move the striped sculpture immediately after The Open.

But a decision has now been made to leave it in place on the Shore Road roundabout – opposite Pontins – until the initiative ends on Monday.

The Tiger Woods tribute is expected to be one of the most sought-after Superlambananas at the auction on September 9 due to its connection with Royal Birkdale.

A Go Superlambanans! spokeswoman said: “We don’t know how much but we expect Tiger In The Woods to go for a significant amount of money.

“It will definitely be one of the most sought-after Superlambananas at the auction in St George’s Hall.”

Tourists have flooded to the roundabout near Pontin’s to have their picture taken with the 122nd and most recent Superlambanana.

Artist Candida Boyes designed the work in homage to world number one golfer Tiger Woods, who missed last month’s Open due to a knee injury.

Tiger In The Woods was sponsored at the last minute by the Culture Company and Sefton Council, at a cost of what is believed to be £5,000.

Accountant Ronnie Griffin, 45, a regular in The Sands pub over the road from the statue, believed it was great for kids but ultimately a waste of Sefton Council’s money.

The father-of-two, who lives off Shore Road, said: “I didn’t even know it was to do with Tiger Woods until someone told me after The Open.

“All the kids from Pontin’s seem to like it and want their picture taken with it, which is great but as a rate payer to Sefton Council, it’s a waste of money.”

Writing on the www.southportvisiter.co.uk forum however, Sandgrounder wrote: “Kids love the superlambananas, the looks on their faces when they discover a new one is superb. Shore Road roundabout seems a strange place to put one though.

“Maybe we could get another one on Chapel Street or Lord Street? In Southport FC colours?”

The Superlambanana will be replaced by an airplane model later this year. The metallic model of the Lockheed Electra craft which set off from the nearby beach amid on May 13, 1937, is intended to celebrate Ainsdale’s place in aviation history.